301 Pian Cales - winter route

The village of San Bernardino is located at the foot of the homonymous Pass. The small mountain resort experienced its first tourist boom in the early 19th century, thanks to the Italian nobility who visited for the healing power of its mineral waters. Although the spa reality ended with the two world wars, walking through the town center you can still recognize, in some of the old buildings, traces of past splendor. Nowadays, the Mesolcina has become a destination especially for those who love to savor unspoiled nature in a unique landscape.

From the village, after reaching the Conchetta area, you choose the path parallel to the cross-country ski slope. The easy trail runs mostly on flat terrain and, crossing the woods, you reach the Pian Doss alpine pasture. Walking, the view ranges from the village below to the surrounding mountains and, turning your gaze north, to the pass landscape: the pyramidal Pizzo Uccello, the impressive emblematic mountain of San Bernardino, guides us along the entire route. In the past the San Bernardino Pass was called Mons Avium, from which the current Pizzo Uccello derives.

After the alpine pasture, the path turns left and through a side valley reaches the Pian Cales ski area. Carefully crossing the slopes, you finally descend back to the village. Once back in the village, it will be a pleasure to regain strength by tasting a fine hot chocolate and savoring a slice of cake, thus also recovering from the winter temperatures.